Hydrography and circulation off the Antarctica in the Indian Ocean region

The hydrography and circulation pattern off Antarctica in the Indian Ocean region are studied using vertical sections of temperature, salinity and oxyty approximately along 20°E, 77°E and 90°E, and the dynamic topography of the sea surface with reference to 1000 db. Based on the oceanographic characteristics, the whole region under study can be divided into three zones, the extreme ends being characterised by the frontal structure. The dicothermal layer is conspicuous during summer south of 50°S. The surface flow around Antarctica is mainly zonal. The East Wind Drift, found as a narrow westward flow near Antarctica, is observed at a lower latitude in the eastern Indian Ocean where the land extends northword. Contrary to expectation there is evidence of a westward flowing surface current at about 35°S between 45°E and 65°E.